Compressor.



C. F. MMSCH.

coMPREsson. APPLICATKON FlLED MAR. 6.19M-

,29h83, Patented Jan. 2l, 191%.

GUSTAVE F. MAISCH, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

COMPRESSOR.

Original application led October 2, 1916, Serial No. 123,274. Divided 1917. Serial No. 152,514.

To all 'whom t may concern.'

Be it known that. I, GUsrAvE F. MArsoH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Compressors, of which the following is a specification.

My invention concerns gas-compressors, such as are used in refrigerating systems or appliances, and although devices embodying the invention are capable of advantageous employment in many relations and susceptible of being operated by various kinds of power, such as electricity, water, and the like, and may be direct, belt, or otherwise connected to the power device, there are certain characteristics of my improved apparatus which render it capable of economical use in connection with the refrigerating systems of domestic refrigerators of the usual relatively-small capacity. One of the leading objects of the invention is the provision of a fluid-compressor of this general character adapted for employment in a highpressure refrigerating-system using a harmless gas, dangerous and objectionable gases, such as ammonia, ordinarily used at a lower temperature, being prohibitive so far as home use is concerned.

Preferably, though not necessarily, I employ carbon dioxid gas (CO2), which requires a relatively high pressure to insure its liquefaction, as compared with ammonia, for instance, and, consequently, one of the problems to be solved by this invention was the production of a. compressor which could economically and effectively produce such a pressure and maintain it for an unlimited period without attention and without substantial leakage from the appliance.

A further feature of the invention is the provision of a compressor which can use such a gas as will not corrode or detrimentally act upon the meta-l of the piping or other parts, and this carbon dioxid may well be used in this connection because it has practically no affinity for metal.

By using a double-acting gas-compressor or two compressors directly connected so that when one portion is compressing its charge the other will be filling with gas under reduced pressure from the refrigerating system, this latter portion will act to assist the electric-motor or other driving means inthe performance of its work, and

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 21, 1919. and this application led March 6,

hence, the appliance as a whole can be compact and the motor of small capacity. This construction also results in a more evenly acting device and one which will at all tlmes consume but little electric current, assuming for example, that the appliance is electrically driven.

One of the serious problems solved by my improved compressor is the prevention of a substantial escape of the gas under the high pressure employed around the piston or plunger rod and to use what does escape in such a way as to secure an adequate lubrication of these parts.

In order that those skilled in this art may have a full and complete understanding of the invention and its variousadvantages, I have illustrated a desirable embodiment of the invention in the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this speciication and throughout the views of which like reference characters refer to the same parts.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through the double-acting gas compressor;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged horizontal section showing the means for packing and lubrieating the piston-rod and also showing the removable valve construction; and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical section through one of the oil cups. l

Referring to the drawing, it will be observed that in the preferred embodiment of the invention an electric-motor 10 is mounted on the top of a lubricant-containing casing 11, the latter accommodating a crosshead 12 in the vertical slot of which a square block 13 is adapted to travel to cause the reciprocation of the cross-head and associated parts, such block being pivotally mounted eccentrically on a disk 14 of a shaft driven by the motor 10 through suitable gearing 15, 16. Into the opposite ends of the cross-head 12 two piston-rods 17 and 18 are screwed, being prevented from unturning by means of lock-nuts 19. Each of these piston or plunger rods 17 extends outwardly through a stuffing-box 20 in the wall of casing 11. I

Inasmuch as the two ends of the compressor are of substantially the same construction it will sulice if one only is described. Each cylinder 21 has a central bore 22 of practically the same diameter or caliber as the end of the corresponding pistonrod 18, the latter being equipped with a plurality of leak-proof piston-rings 23, or, if preferred, the terminal portion of the piston-rod constituting the plunger may be made separate from the piston-rod proper and secured thereto by a stem 24 extended into a cavity in the end of the piston-rod and fastened therein by means of a cross-pin 25. The inner portion of the cylinder, that is, its end toward the cross-head, is externally screw-threaded at 26 for the reception of the stuffing-box gland member 27 internally screw-threaded for cooperation therewith. Member 27 is centrally equipped with a cylindrical gland-portion Q8 fitting partially in a similarly-shaped cavity 29 in the cylinder member 21 and centrally apertured for the passage of the pistons-cd 18 therethrough. PartQS is hollow and accommodates a packing 30 with which co-acts a smaller, threaded, gland-member 31A similarlyV perforated for the accommodation of the piston,- rod. 0bviously, by turning the member 31 the packing 30 may be caused to hug the rod more or less snugly.

As is shown perhaps more clearly in Fig. 2, cavity 29 v`contains two pairs of cup leather washers 32, 32, separated by flat leather washers 33, 33, the spaces between which are filled with a suitable hemp or other packing 34. l-it the middle of this packing is in an interposed spacer or socalled lantern 35 radially apertured at 36 at a plurality of points, the thickness of the spacer being greater at its outer edge than at its inner or middle portion to insure a more effective squeezing or wedging action on the packing. Around the surface of the spacer 35 there is an annular groove 37 with which the radial passages 36 communicate. Just inside ofthe gland-member Q8 there is another spacer or washer 38 also thicker at its outer edge than at its inner portion for a similar purpose. This washer 38 is similarly apertured for the accommodation of the piston-rod, but it is not equipped with any radial passages as is the member 35.

By reference to Figs. 1 and 3, it will be noted that the upper part of each cylinder member 21 has an oilor lubricating device 39 threaded through the wall so as to be in communication with the annular cavity or groove 37. This oil member comprises a shell or casing 40 equipped with a top closure 41, and at its lower end it is provided with a threaded stem 42 extended through the lower wall of the oil-containing chamber 40 and also through the wall of the cylinder. rIhe part 4Q'has a passage 43 therethrough in communication with an upwardly-extending pipe 44 projecting through the oil in the chamber so that any gas passing through the connecting passages 43 and 44 will exert its pressure on the top of the oil, tending to forcev it down. Stem 42 also has another passage 45 opening downwardly into an enlargement 46 accommodating a ball-valve 47 which when pressed up against the valve face 48 closes the passage. The lower portion of the chamber 46 is fitted with a plug 49 having` small passage 50 extendedtherethrough and at one side of its aXis so that when the ball 47 is in its lowered position it will not close such passage.

t might be observed in passing that the packing spacer or lantern 35 in the present device has four of the radial passages 36 one of which is in substantial register with the lubricating appliance, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. inasmuch as both cylinders of the compressor, as well as their packings and lubricating devices and other parts, are alike, this description of one will suffice for both.

In appliances of this character, heretofore, it has been practically impossible to maintain the required pressures in the compressor by reason of leakage around the piston-rod, or, stated somewhat differently, it has been substantially impossible to keep the packing tight around the piston-rod and also maintain the latter properly lubricated.V ln theV device of this invention, however, the pressure of the gas tending to escape around the piston-rod is employed to feed the lubricant tothe packing and the rod. i

The operation of this lubricating device is practically as follows:

It is impossible to make the piston-rings completely leak-proof, and, consequently, there will be a very slight leakage the gas past them. As the packing lon that side of the spacer 35 toward the compresser chamber tends to dry out and permit a leakage of the compressed gas, then, during the compression stroke of the piston the leaking gas has a comparatively free admission to the chamber 46 through the passage 50 by reason of the proximity of the radial passage 36 of the spacer 35, resulting in a comparatively quick raising of the ball-valve and closing of the passage 45. This gas Y part 40 -'above the oil through the passages 43 and 44, but the pressure in the oil-containing compartment does not rise as rap-Y idlv as it does beneath the ball-valve so that theu latter is closed before thereis a sub.

stantial increase of pressure abovevthe oil.

During the admission stroke of the piston there will be a slight leakage of gas past the piston-ring, but, of course, at a reduced pressure, and such reduction in pressure causes the ball-valve 47 to drop before there is a substantial reduction in pressure above the oil in the is that the greater pressure abovecthe oil then forces alcharge of the same down through the passages 45, 46, and 50, and

also escapes more slowly into theL member 40. Thev result also through the spacer to the piston-rod. In this way the latter is kept adequately lubricated by such pumping action of the escaping gas, although there will also be somewhat of a feed of oil at other times. This lubricant keeps the piston-rod properly oiled and also acts to overcome the dryness of the packing, which, when thus treated with the oil, swells up and acts to maintain tighter joints, facilitatin a maintenance of the required pressure. f course, in time, the packing will again dry out somewhat owing to the heat of the compressor and a further feed of oil will be occasioned by the escaping gas, as described above.

Each cylinder is provided with a valvemember 60 having a packing 6l interposed between itself and the corresponding open end of the cylinder, each member also having a passage 62 in communication with the interior of the corresponding cylinder and in connection with a spring-pressed inletvalve 68 and a spring-pressed outlet or discharge valve 64. The valve 63 is associated with the removable ported valve-seat member 65 a shoulder of which is adequately pressed against a packing 66 bearing on a companion shoulder of the member' 6() by means of a screw-threaded plug 67 covered and concealed by a screw-threaded cap 68 having a packing or gasket 69 between itself and the end of the part 60. It will be clear, therefore, that by removing the cap 68 and the lug 67, the latter' having an angular end $0 adapted for the application of a wrench, the valve and the valve-seat member may be readily taken out for repairs or replacement. Valve 64 is normally held closed by a spring 69"L interposed between the base of a cavity in the member 65 and a collar '70a pinned to the valve-stem.

The spring-pressed discharge-valve 64 is so similar to that of the inlet-valve that it needs no further description except to state that it opens outwardly instead of inwardly as does the inlet-valve. The manner of taking out the valve and its seat-member is substantially the same as that of its companion inlet-valve, however.

Connection is made with the inlet and outlet valve by means of threaded plugs 71 and 72 connected to suit-able pipes associated with the refrigerating system, not shown in detail.

The two cylinders are provided with water-jacket members 80 and 81 connected together below the cylinders by a pipe 82 and each connected at its upper end with either an inlet or discharge pipe 83 and 84 respectively. The cooling water enters one of the jackets and then passes through the other jacket and the discharge pipe so that the same water is used for cooling both cylinders.

From the above it will be clear to those skilled in the art that I am enabled to maintain adequate pressures in the compressor cylinders and at the same time afford proper lubrication for the piston-rods, using the escaping gas to facilitate or aid in the lubrication. It will be obvious also that by employing a double-acting compressor the incoming gas from the refrigerating system with which the device is intended to be used, under reduced pressure, assists the motor in the performance of its work. It should be apparent, furthermore, that the valves may be readily removed for inspection or replacement.

To those skilled in this art it will be seen that many minor mechanical changes may be incorporated in the compressor described and illustrated without departure from the heart and substance of the invention and without the loss of any of its material advantages. Stated somewhat differently the invention is not limited and restricted to the precise and exact details of structure presented.

This application is a division of my earlier application Serial No. 123,274, refrigerating apparatus, filed October 2, 1916.

I claim:

1. A gas-compressor in combination with a lubricant reservoir, and means actuated by Jthe gas operated upon by the compressor to feed the lubricant from said reservoir to its place of use, substantially as described.

2. A gas-compressor in combination with a lubricant reservoir, and means actuated by the escaping gas from the compressor to feed the lubricant from the reservoir to its place of use, substantially as described.

3. A gas-compressor in combination with a lubricant reservoir, and means actuated by the variations in the pressure of the gas operated upon by the compressor to feed the lubricant from said reservoir to its place of use, substantially as described.

4. A gas-compressor in combination with a. lubricant reservoir, and means actuated by the variations in the pressure of the escaping gas from the compressor to feed the lubricant from said reservoir to its place of use, substantially as described.

5. A gas-compressor of the character described comprising in combination, a cylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, a piston-rod, a packing for said rod, a lubricant reservoir, and means actuated by the gas operated upon by the compressor to feed the lubricant from said reservoir to said pistonrod, substantially as described.

6. A gas-compressor of the character described, comprising in combination a cylinder, a piston reciproeable therein, a pistonrod, a packing for said rod, and a lubricating means for said rod actuated by the gas escaping around said piston-rod, substantially as described.

7. A gas-compressor or the character described, comprising in combination a cylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, a pistonrod, a packing 'for said rod, and a lubricating device for said rod equipped with a passage to permit the escaping gas to enter the device above the lubricant and with a passage for the lubricant to be delivered to said piston-rod, said latter passage having a valve adapted to be operated by said escaping gas, substantially as described.

8. In a gas-compressor of the character described, the combination of a cylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, a piston-rod, a packing for said rod, andv a lubricating device for said rod equipped with a passa-ge to permit the escaping gas to enter the device above the lubricant and with a passage tor the lubricant to be delivered to said pistonrod, said latter passage having an outwardly-closing ball-valve adapted to be operated by said escaping gas, substantially as described.

9. In a gas-compressor of the character described, the combination ot a cylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, a piston -rod, a pac ring for said rod, and a lubricating device for said rod equipped with a passage to ermit the escaping gas to enter the device above the lubricant and With a passage or the lubricant to be delivered tc said pistonrod, said latter passage having a valve adapt ed to be operated by said escaping gas, and means to facilitate the ioiv of the escaping five cents each,

valve relative to its tlmv above described.

gas to said the lubricant, substantially as 10. ln a gas-compressor of the character described, the combination of a cylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, a piston-rod, a packing for said rod, and a lubricating device or said rod equipped with a passage to permit the escaping gas to enter the device above the lubricant and With a lubricant discharge passage to said piston-rod, said latter passage having a valve adapted to be operated by said escaping gas, and a member apertured to facilitate the flow et said escaping gas to said valve relatively to its flow above the lubricant, substantially as described.

1l. ln a gas-compressor described, the combination of a cylinder, a piston reciprocable therein, ak piston-rod, a spacerV around said rod, packings for said rod on Opposite sides of said spacer, and a lubricating-device for said rod equipped with a passage to permit the gas escaping of the character past one of said packings to enter the. device above said lubricant and with a lubricant discharge passage to said piston-rod, said latter passage having a; valve adapted to be closed by said escaping gas, said spacer being apertured to facilitate the flow of the escaping gas t0 said valve relatively to its iiow above the lubricant, substantially as described.

Giisravn ii. Maisto-ii.

by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

